Bromanceical Day on the Mountain

When one receives a visitor, the typical hospitable response is to introduce the guest to aspects of the host-city they may not be acquainted with. Upon the arrival of an out-of-towner, I am very often inclined to replenish their energy with a journey to any number of restaurants downtown.  However, when Griff comes to town, we have more important objectives.

 

Hailing from Southern Ontario, Griff is captivated by the mountain scenery that surrounds Flagstaff. The ability to stand atop a mountain and gaze at the world below is an opportunity that isn’t afforded to everyone, and Griff is eager to remind me of this from the moment he arrives.

To catch up with an old buddy is always a treat, but to rekindle the flame of friendship while ascending a hill is just spectacular. It is already surreal to see someone from a prior life, but the bonds of years past are truly intensified as the world shrinks below us. As cars, buildings, and people become small enough to fit onto the tip of my pinky, the world is put into perspective like no other experience can replicate. The mountain reminds me what is important, and as Griff and I contemplate the past, present, and future, the placid, tranquil surroundings confirm that the world has stopped so that he and I can take this moment to appreciate our brief time together.

Flagstaff: What Food dost Thou Giveth?

Flagstaff is an open-minded kind of place, and the culture here is one that has respect for different modes of life. Downtown Flagstaff is made up of restaurants that represent a wide array of cultures, and at places like Mountain Oasis, the world’s different cuisines are celebrated under one roof. In a way, Flagstaff’s culture can really be defined by its appreciation of all cultures.

Still, two cuisines have risen above the rest to make an imprint on Flagstaff’s culture of food: Mexican and Native American. I challenge anyone to drive 5 minutes in any direction within Flagstaff’s borders and not find a Mexican restaurant. Mexican food is such a staple in Flagstaff that even non-Mexican restaurants include at least a couple of these menu items. If I were to consider one type of food that I make which represents Arizona and Flagstaff, it would be Mexican. Native American food is nowhere near as prevalent, but prior to living here I didn’t know what fry bread was, so it has clearly made an impression on at least one person.  

In my mind there is no signature dish that defines what food is to Flagstaff, but rather the variety and diversity of food represent the receptiveness to different experiences and the desire to learn about others that characterize this little mountain town.